Rick Morton: One Hundred Years of Dirt

2 MayConversation

One Hundred Years of Dirt is an unflinching and ultimately hopeful memoir by The Australian’s social affairs commentator, Rick Morton, cataloguing poverty, violence and treachery stretching across generations. Stephen Romei called it “[a story that] should be read by every Australian”. Christos Tsiolkas hailed it as “a magnificent book … infused with genuine compassion”. George Megalogenis meets Rick to discuss what is both a celebration of survival and a wrenching testament to the strength of familial love.

Rick Morton is an award-winning journalist with The Australian and is the author of One Hundred Years of Dirt. It explores intergenerational trauma, poverty, addiction and mental health and the role of a mother who tried to love enough for the failures of everyone else around her. Originally from Queensland, Rick has worked in Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne and now Canberra as the social affairs writer for The Australian with a particular focus on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, aged care, the welfare system, religion and employment services. Rick is the winner of the 2017 Kennedy Award for Outstanding Columnist. One Hundred Years of Dirt was longlisted for the 2018 Walkley Book of the Year and was Highly Commended in the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards 2019.

George Megalogenis is an author and journalist with more than three decades' experience in the media. His book The Australian Moment won the 2013 Prime Minister's Literary Award for Non-fiction and the 2012 Walkley Award for Non-fiction, and formed the basis for his ABC documentary series Making Australia Great. George is also the author of Australia’s Second Chance, Balancing Act – Australia Between Recession and Renewal, The Longest Decade and Faultlines. His latest book is The Football Solution.